Apparatus for batch dyeing

Abstract

The jet dye apparatus includes a reactant chamber for the processing or various materials and liquids, and a pump for recirculating the liquids to and from the reactant chamber. A jet venturi or nozzle receives the material from the reactant chamber and returns the material to the reactant chamber through a return tube. A portion of the liquids from the pump are supplied to the jet venturi. An inductor receives a portion of the liquids from the pump before they are returned to the reactant chamber. The inductor combines the liquids with granular or powder additives from an additive container.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An apparatus for mixing an additive with a liquid, and batch processing of a material with the liquid containing the additive, the apparatus comprising: 
       a reactant chamber, the reactant chamber providing a space for the processing of the material with the liquid containing the additive;  
       a pump connected to receive the liquid from the reactant chamber and to return the liquid to the reactant chamber;  
       a jet connected to receive the material from the reactant chamber, the jet further being connected to receive at least a portion of the liquid from the pump, before the liquid reaches the reactant chamber;  
       a return tube for returning the material and the liquid from the jet to the reactant chamber;  
       an additive container for holding the additive in a powder or granular form, the additive container having an additive output opening for the exit of the additive in the powder or granular form from the additive container, the additive container further having side walls angled relative to the vertical of the additive container such that the additive in the powder or granular form is directed towards the additive container output; and,  
       an eductor connected between the pump and the reactant chamber such that at least a portion of the liquid passing through the pump and returning to the reactant chamber also flows through the eductor, the eductor further being connected to the additive container output such that the additive from the additive container is mixed with the liquid flowing through the eductor.  
     
     
       2. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the eductor is connected such that the flow of the liquid through the eductor is taken from the liquid flowing from the pump and returned to the liquid flowing to the pump. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus according to  claim 2 , further including a gas supply system connected to the additive container for dispensing a protective gas layer over the additive. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the eductor is connected such that the flow of the liquid through the eductor is take from the liquid flowing from the pump and returned to the reactant chamber. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus according to  claim 1  further including the lifter wheel inside the reactant chamber, the lifter wheel being positioned for the material to pass over the lifter wheel just prior to entering the jet. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus according to  claim 5 , further including the lifter wheel being motorized. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including a heat exchanger connected to exchange heat with at least a portion of the liquid flowing through the pump. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including spray nozzles located in an upper portion of the reaction chamber, and wherein a portion of the liquid from the pump returning to the reactant chamber passes through the spray nozzles. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the side walls of the additive container are angled no more than about 45 degrees from the vertical. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the side walls of the additive container are angled no less than about 25 degrees from the vertical. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the additive container includes a valve positioned to control the flow of the additive from the additive container output to the eductor. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the valve comprises a butterfly valve. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the additive container includes a lid. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus according to  claim 13 , wherein the additive container further includes a lid locking mechanisum. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the lid locking mechanisum comprises a solenoid. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including a vibrator mounted to the additive container such that the vibrator will apply vibration to the side walls of the additive container. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including a check valve connected after the eductor such that liquid flow towards the eductor is inhibited. 
     
     
       18. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including a valve positioned before the eductor to control the flow of the liquid to the eductor. 
     
     
       19. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including a valve positioned after the eductor to control the flow of the liquid from the eductor. 
     
     
       20. The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further including an extinguishing system connected to the additive container for dispensing an extinguishing medium to the additive.